| These guidelines cover access to telecommunications products, including telephones, pagers, and fax machines, and other products that have a telecommunication service capability, such as computers with modems. The guidelines also address equipment that carriers use to provide services, such as a phone companys switching equipment. Structured as performance requirements, the guidelines detail the operating characteristics and product capabilities necessary for access. The Access Board issued the guidelines in 1998 under Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act which requires telecommunications products and services to be accessible to the extent it is "readily achievable." [35 pages] |